TAMPA, Fla. (Dec. 6, 2017) – Nearly 5,000 University of South Florida System students will be awarded degrees during fall commencement ceremonies Dec. 8-11. USF System President Judy Genshaft will preside over seven ceremonies, marking the university’s 113th commencement convocation.
The USF Alumni Association’s Outstanding Graduate Award will be presented to a student at each USF System institution. The USF Tampa recipient is Alexis Drees, who will earn a bachelor’s degree in international business, with a concentration in finance and a minor in Chinese. The USF St. Petersburg award winner is Jared Bolton, who is earning a bachelor’s degree in psychology, with minors in business and entrepreneurship. USF Sarasota-Manatee’s recipient is Jaime Hernandez Carranza, who is graduating with a bachelor’s in biology.
Andrew Hamilton, president of New York University, will receive an honorary doctorate of science during the 9 a.m. ceremony on Saturday, Dec. 9.
Patricia Flatley-Brennan, director of the National Library of Medicine, will receive an honorary doctorate of engineering and nursing during the 6 p.m. ceremony on Saturday, Dec. 9.
Facts about the Fall 2017 graduating class
Total USF System degrees: 4,715
USF Tampa degrees: 4,028 (2,727 bachelor’s, 1,089 master’s, 199 doctoral, 13 specialist)
USF St. Petersburg degrees: 495
USF Sarasota-Manatee degrees: 192
Students graduating with a 4.0 GPA: 21
Youngest graduate: Age 19
Oldest graduate: Age 71
Student veterans: 211
U.S. states represented: 47
Nations represented: 89
Graduates, friends and family attending the ceremonies are encouraged to use #USFGRAD on social media posts. More information is available at usf.edu/commencement.
Full ceremony information (all held at the USF Sun Dome, unless otherwise noted)
*Friday, Dec. 8, 6 p.m. ceremony includes bachelor’s degree recipients from the College of Arts and Sciences.
*Saturday, Dec. 9, 9 a.m. ceremony includes bachelor’s degree recipients from the College of Arts and Sciences and the Muma College of Business.
*Saturday, Dec. 9, 1:30 p.m. ceremony includes bachelor’s degree recipients from the College of Behavioral and Community Sciences, College of Education, College of Engineering, College of Nursing, College of Public Health, College of The Arts and Undergraduate Studies.
*Saturday, Dec. 9, 6 p.m. ceremony includes master’s, education specialist and doctoral degree recipients.
*Sunday, Dec. 10, 1 p.m. ceremony at the Mahaffey Theater includes graduates from USF St. Petersburg.
*Sunday, Dec. 10, 5 p.m. ceremony at the Mahaffey Theater includes graduates from USF St. Petersburg.
*Monday, Dec. 11, 6:30 p.m. ceremony at the Bradenton Area Convention Center includes graduates from USF Sarasota-Manatee.
About the University of South Florida System
The University of South Florida System is a high-impact, global research system dedicated to student success. The USF System includes three institutions: USF; USF St. Petersburg; and USF Sarasota-Manatee. The institutions are separately accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. All institutions have distinct missions and their own detailed strategic plans. Serving over 49,000 students, the USF System has an annual budget of $1.6 billion and an annual economic impact of $4.4 billion. USF is a member of the American Athletic Conference.
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